California Health Exchange Enrollment Tops 600K

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California's health insurance exchange says about 625,000 people have signed up for a policy under the federal health care reforms, but enrollments for Latinos and younger people continue to lag expectations.

Younger people are crucial for the private insurance market. Insurers need them to balance out the number of older customers, who are more likely to use health services.

About 25 percent of those choosing an insurance plan are in the 18- to 34-year-old group, below the roughly 36 percent Covered California eventually wants to see.

Executive Director Peter Lee said Tuesday he's not concerned about the initial enrollment numbers but expects it to take a couple of years before younger people sign up in robust numbers. He also says about 75 percent of those enrolling have paid their premiums.

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